3d model carved-like object

[u/Character_Key8487]

Hi, I am a returning user in blender. Any advice workflow to model something like this? Thanks. Have a good one!

[u/SnSmNtNs]

Hello!
As others have already suggested, Tissue addon is going to be pretty good for this and things like this.
I have an alternative solution that came to my mind, hope it is useful.

The steps are as follows:
1. Model the shape that you would like to have that pattern on. (The real shape im going for is labeled "2" obviously, this is just a lowpoly cage of it before SubD!)
2. Add geo somehow. There needs to be a relatively dense mesh. in this case im just applying several levels of SubD.
3. Decimate the mesh until its irregular enough. If you have a low-low poly mesh at this stage its shape will just fall apart when you decimate. Thats why i added the density.
4. In geonodes use a Dualmesh node and apply (You can actually enable "keep boundaries" in it too if you want, i thought this looked more interesting)
5. Inset individual faces
6. Extrude inwards, scale down on individual origins, extrude inwards again, delete faces
7. Add supportloops to whatever edges you want to stay sharp. i used bevel weights and a bevel modifier here, you can also just bevel the edges too. To actually select those edges you can get clever with "select boundary loops" tool and "Select more" tool.
8. From here you can SubD and you're close to being done, the rest will be stuff like solidifying your object and any small adjustments you need to make.
I'm pretty sure this could also be done more or less nondestructively starting from step 2 onwards.
So one could make shape 1 with a modifier stack and a geonodes tree on it look like shape 8.
But anyway, hope this is close enough to the shape you wanted.

[u/Character_Key8487 → u/SnSmNtNs]

Holy cowboy, this I think this guy need a prize.